Why is early CPR important for a cardiac arrest patient?

Early CPR is crucial for a cardiac arrest patient because it helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. When the heart stops beating effectively, blood circulation ceases, and without immediate intervention, irreversible damage can begin within just a few minutes. CPR, by employing chest compressions, artificially propels blood through the body, ensuring that oxygen continues to reach the organs. This is vital for sustaining life and brain function until advanced medical help arrives.

In the context of the other options, while some aspects of them have their own relevance, they do not capture the primary purpose of performing CPR. For example, although it is indeed beneficial for emergency responders to arrive in a timely manner, this is not the primary reason to initiate CPR. Legal requirements for performing CPR can vary and aren’t the driving force behind its urgency. Additionally, stating that CPR stops the heart from working is inaccurate—as the goal of CPR is to support and revive the heart's function, not to halt its activity.